Location based mobile wagering system

ABSTRACT

A system for providing access to casino gaming and sports booking is provided which permits a gambler to place wagers using a location based mobile gaming unit. The gambler may access the system through a wireless network. Further, the gambler may be positioned anywhere there is an established local gaming server. A gambler profile may be provided wireless access to the local server along with the games available in the local server jurisdiction based on a global positioning of the mobile gaming unit.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and incorporated by referencein its entirety U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/283,059 entitledLocation Based Mobile Wagering System filed on Apr. 10, 2001, which iscommonly owned by the inventor noted herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to a system and method forfacilitating wagering using a wireless network. In particular, theinvention relates to a system and method for facilitating wagering via amobile interface.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] For a gaming controller, such as a bookie, casino or the like,the amount of the revenues accumulated is directly related to the winsand losses of a particular gambler. For example, where a gambler placesa wager on the outcome of an event, whether the gambler is paid winningsor must surrender his wager to the gaming controller is determined bywhether the gambler is able to successfully guess the outcome of theevent upon which he has placed his wager. Where the gambler guessessuccessfully, the gambler is paid a sum of winnings. On the other hand,where the gambler is unsuccessful in guessing the outcome of an event,the gambler must surrender his wager to the gaming controller. In thelatter instance, the gaming controller may count the gambler'ssurrendered wager amongst the gaming controller's revenues.

[0006] Traditionally, when a gambler wishes to place a wager on theoutcome of an event (e.g., sporting event) or to participate in theplaying of a wager based game (e.g., casino game, such as poker,blackjack, slot machines, and the like), the gambler must be present onlocation to give over his wager to the gaming controller (e.g., sportsbook house or casino house). For example, in order for a gambler toplace a wager on the outcome of sporting event, the gambler must presenthis wager to a “bookie” in person in order for the wager to beconsidered. Likewise, where a gambler wishes to take part in a casinogame like, for example, five-card stud, the gambler must be physicallypresent at the casino gaming table in order to participate in theplaying of the cards.

[0007] However, this requirement that a gambler be physically presentwhen placing a wager places a limitation on the amount of revenues agaming controller may accumulate. That is, where a gambler is notpresent to make his wager, the gaming controller often will not acceptthe gambler's wager, thus reducing the chance that the gamingcontrollers revenues will increase when the gambler guessesunsuccessfully. Consequently, gaming controllers have been looking formultiple ways in which to provide access to a gambler which does notdepend on the gambler's physical presence. A desired system, would allowa gambler to place a wager on the outcome of an event irrespective ofwhether the gambler is physically present.

[0008] One such method which allows gamblers who are remote from thecasino or bookie to place wagers involves the establishment of anoffsite betting location, such as an offsite betting track or offsitebetting house. This situation, however, still requires the gambler to bephysically present at the betting house to place his bet. In this way,the gaming controller's revenues are still limited by the requiredpresence of the gambler.

[0009] Moreover, where a gambler is able to place a bet at a locationremote from the gaming controller, such as with online betting systems,the gambler is confined to a placing his bets from a fixed bettinglocation. For example, where a gambler uses a computer based system(e.g., a personal computer) to place his wager, the computer, such asthe PC, is often fixed in that it must be directly and physicallyconnected to a communications network like the Internet. Again, thisrestriction that the gambler communicate from a fixed location reducesthe opportunity of game controller to increase his revenues by providingaccess to a gambler which does not depend on a fixed system.

[0010] Further still, in recent years on line gaming has been thesubject of several legal disputes in that the gambler is provided accessto a gaming controller from a location (e.g., jurisdiction) which hasplaced legal restrictions on gambling. Providing access to a gamblerfrom these gambling restricted locations, often exposes the gamingcontroller to liability for violating local gambling restriction laws.Consequently, a need exist for a system which will provide access to agaming controller, where the system is additionally capable ofdetermining a gamblers location and, thereby restrict access to thegaming controller based on the gambling laws where the gambler islocated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a method and system for providinga gambler access to a gaming controller which addresses many of theshortcomings of the prior art. In accordance with various aspects of theinvention, a mobile (e.g. not fixed) system is provided wherein agambler may place a wager on the outcome of an event irrespective of thegambler's location. In particular, a mobile gaming system provides agambler access to a gaming controller wherein the gambler may placewagers on the outcome of the event from any location within a gamingcontroller's receiving area. In addition, the mobile gaming systemallows the gambler to collect his winnings and surrender his wagerwithout being required to be physically present in a gaming location.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mobile gamingsystem is provided wherein a gambler may use a mobile gaming unit (e.g.,3G, PCS or cellular, two way pager, personal digital assistant, and thelike) to placing a wager on the outcome of an event. The mobile gamingunit may be wirelessly connected to a server controlled by a gamingcontroller (e.g., game controller or game controller server), whereinthe gaming controller's server manages the proliferation of the games orevents upon which a wager may be placed. The gaming controller's serverfacilitates the storage and management of the events via manipulation ofgambler profiles and jurisdictional profile (e.g., jurisdictionallypermitted gaming opportunities) stored on a gaming account database on ahome gaming registry. The server may additionally be able to report theoutcome of the event to the mobile gaming unit, and arrange for thegambler to be paid winnings or to surrender his wager by, for example,increasing or decreasing the financial or merit account data with whichthe gambler is using to place wagers.

[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the gambler isable to place wagers on the outcome of the game or event based on thegambling profile of the gambler. The gambling profile may be furtherstored in a database, wherein the gambling profile provides the gamblerwith credits with which to gamble. Such credits may be purchased by thegambler using the mobile gambling unit, an Internet connection, orthrough dial-up procedures, and the like. Where the gambler successfullyplaces a wager (e.g., correctly guesses the outcome of an event) theamount of credits stored the gambling profile may be increasedaccordingly to the amount of the gambler's winnings. Contrariwise, werea gambler unsuccessfully places a wager, the amount of credits stored inthe gambling profile may be decreased accordingly to the amount wageredby the gambler.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mobilegaming unit may wirelessly connect to a gaming controller gaming systemwhere the mobile gaming unit is within a receiving area of a gamingcontroller system. In addition, the mobile gaming unit may be able towirelessly connect to a server, or servers managed by more than onegaming controller, wherein the user's gambling profile is storedpermanently or temporarily on the noted servers.

[0015] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a mobilegaming unit is tracked by a position location system (e.g., a globalpositioning system, wireless assisted global position system or thelike). The mobile gaming unit may be further activated or deactivatedaccording to the local gambling restrictions. For example, where amobile gaming unit is operating in a locality with a prohibition ongambling, the operation of the mobile gaming unit may be restrictedaccordingly. That is, certain games may or may not be provided to thegambler based on the jurisdictional restrictions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] A more complete understanding of the present invention may bederived by referring to the various embodiments of the inventiondescribed in the attached documents and in conjunction with the appendeddrawings and figures in which like numerals denote like elements, and inwhich:

[0017]FIG. 1 is system level representation of an exemplary embodimentof a mobile gaming system in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is another representation of an exemplary embodiment of alocation based mobile gaming system in accordance with the presentinvention; and

[0019]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart of a method of gaming via anexemplary location based mobile gaming system in accordance with thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0020] The present invention may be described herein in terms offunctional block components and various processing steps. It should beappreciated that such functional blocks may be realized by any number ofhardware and/or software components configured to perform the specifiedfunctions. For example, the present invention may employ variousintegrated circuit (IC) components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the softwareelements of the present invention may be implemented with anyprogramming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL,assembler, PERL, or the like, with the various algorithms beingimplemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes,routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted thatthe present invention may employ any number of conventional techniquesfor data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, andthe like. Still further, the invention could be used to detect orprevent security issues with a scripting language, such as JavaScript,VBScript or the like. For a basic introduction of cryptography, pleasereview a text written by Bruce Schneider which is entitled “AppliedCryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, And Source Code In C,” published byJohn Wiley & Sons (second edition, 1996), which is hereby incorporatedby reference.

[0021] It should be appreciated that the particular implementationsshown and described herein are illustrative of the invention and itsbest mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of thepresent invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity,conventional data networking, application development and otherfunctional aspects of the systems (and components of the individualoperating components of the systems) may not be described in detailherein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figurescontained herein are intended to represent exemplary functionalrelationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. Itshould be noted that many alternative or additional functionalrelationships or physical connections may be present in a practicalelectronic transaction or file transmission system.

[0022] To simplify the description of the exemplary embodiment, theinvention is described as pertaining to a mobile wagering system capableof running over a computer network. It will be appreciated, however,that many applications of the present invention could be formulated. Forexample, the system could be used to facilitate wireless wagering over anetwork such as an intranet or extranet, or any conventional wirelesscommunication medium, and the like. Further, it should be appreciatedthat the network described herein may include any system for exchangingdata or transacting business, such as the Internet, an intranet, anextranet, WAN, LAN, satellite communications, and/or the like. That is,communication between the parties to the transaction and the system ofthe present invention is accomplished through any suitable communicationmeans, such as, for example, a telephone network, Intranet, Internet,point of interaction device (point of sale device, personal digitalassistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.), online communications, off-linecommunications, wireless communications, and/or the like. The users mayinteract with the system via any input device such as a keyboard, mouse,kiosk, personal digital assistant, handheld computer (e.g., PalmPilot®), cellular phone and/or the like. Similarly, the invention couldbe used in conjunction with any type of personal computer, networkcomputer, workstation, minicomputer, mainframe, or the like running anyoperating system such as any version of Windows, Windows NT, Windows2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, Pocket PC, J2ME, symbian, palm operatingsystem, (BREW)binary run time environment for wireless, MacOS, OS/2,BeOS, Linux, UNIX, or the like. Moreover, although the invention isfrequently described herein as being implemented with TCP/IPcommunications protocols, it will be readily understood that theinvention could also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS,OSI or any number of existing or future protocols. Further, the presentinvention might employ any number of conventional techniques for datatransmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like.For example, infrared, radio frequency (RF) or other wireless techniquescould be used in place of any network technique described herein.

[0023] Further still, the terms “Internet” or “network” may refer to theInternet, any replacement, competitor or successor to the Internet, orany public or private inter-network, intranet or extranet that is basedupon open or proprietary protocols. Specific information related to theprotocols, standards, and application software utilized in connectionwith the Internet may not be discussed herein. For further informationregarding such details, see, for example, DILIP NAIK, INTERNET STANDARDSAND PROTOCOLS (1998); JAVA 2 COMPLETE, various authors, (Sybex 1999);DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC RAY, MASTERING HTML 4.0 (1997). LOSHIN, TCP/IPCLEARLY EXPLAINED (1997). All of these texts are hereby incorporated byreference.

[0024] Furthermore, the casino, bookie, user, or gambler, describedherein, may represent individual people, state or private entities, orbusiness, and while reference is made to casinos, bookies or any othergaming controller, this is by way of example and the gaming controllermay represent any entity wherein a wager may be placed on the outcome ofan event. The transactional account system used for facilitating bettingand wager exchange includes existing proprietary networks that presentlyaccommodate transactions for credit cards, debit cards, checking andsavings withdrawal and other types of financial/banking cards, such asthe American Express®, VisaNet® and the Veriphone® network, as well as,conventional avenues for establishing and facilitating charge, directdeposit or direct debit accounts.

[0025]FIG. 1 is a system level block diagram of an exemplary locationbased mobile gaming system 100 in accordance with this invention. Withreference to FIG. 1, in general, a number of mobile gaming units 102communicate with a server system 110 (e.g., game controller server) viaa wireless network 106 to send and/or receive database files containinginformation related to an individual gambler profile (e.g., gamblingaccount), as well as, files storing information on specified gamingopportunities (e.g., gambling events, lotteries, etc.) in a particularjurisdiction. In an exemplary embodiment, server 110 suitably maintainsdistinct data file groupings for each individual mobile gambling unit102. The distinct data profiles may correspond to a particular gambler'sdemographic profile, gambling history, gambling preferences or the like.The server 110 may be configured to retrieve the distinct data files foruse in permitting a gambler to place wagers using the mobile gamblingunit 102. While the terms “transactional account,” “gambler transactionaccount,” “credit card accounts,” “credit card” or checking or debitaccount may be used in the exemplary embodiments, the inventioncontemplates the use of any type of financial or transaction account foruse in placing a wager and receiving winnings, whether or not associatedwith a physical card. For example, such accounts may include debit card,charge card, smart card, bar coded card, magnetic stripe card, temporaryuse account number, brokerage account, 401K plan, stock account, loyaltypoint account, telephone account, utility account, and/or the like. Thatis, the invention contemplates the usage of virtual credit (e.g.,simulated credit accounts) stored on a remote credit virtual accounts aswell as physical credit accounts.

[0026] Mobile gaming units 102 may include any convenient combination ofhardware and software components configured to allow a gambler tocommunicate over network 106. For example, mobile gaming units 102 mightinclude a standard personal computer (PC) comprising a CPU, monitor,storage, keyboard, mouse, wireless modem and communication hardwareappropriate for a given data link 104 (e.g., V.90 modem, network card,cable modem, etc.). In alternate embodiments, mobile gaming unit 102 maybe a personal data assistant (PDA) or mobile telephonic device capableof manipulating images and communicating with server 110. Mobile gamingunit 102 typically may include an operating system (e.g., Windows95/98/2000, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, and/or the like) as well as variousconventional support software modules and drivers typically associatedwith computers. Mobile gaming 102 may also include application softwareconfigured to communicate over network 106 with server 110, for example,a world wide web (WWW) browser or any other communication software. Inan exemplary embodiment, mobile gaming unit 102 includes a conventionalInternet browser application that operates in accordance with HTML andHTTP protocols such as Netscape Navigator (available from the NetscapeCorporation of Mountain View, Calif.) or Microsoft Internet Explorer(available from the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.).

[0027] Further mobile gaming units 102 are suitably operable to includeconventional position location hardware and software. For example,mobile units 102 may include combination of positioning technology suchas global position system (GPS), wireless assisted GPS, wirelessassisted protocol (WAP) based location, geography markoff language (GML)based location. A server that may contain the location of every gamingcontroller (e.g., casino, hotel, sport books, server, network andriverboat) in its database.

[0028] The gaming unit may register its location with the local gamingcontroller server or network. The gaming controller server or networkmay check the gaming unit and/or gambler profile and send the profile tothe local gaming controller. The local gaming controller may allow themobile gaming unit or gambler to wager according to the profile of hemobile gaming unit or gambler.

[0029] Mobile gaming unit 102 and server 110 are suitably coupled tonetwork 106 via data links 104, 108, 112 and 114, respectively. Avariety of conventional communications media and protocols may be usedfor data links 104, 108, 112 and 114. Such links might include, forexample, a connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over thelocal loop as is typically used in connection with standard modemcommunication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line(DSL), or various wireless communication compatible methods. Merchantsystem 102 might also reside within a local area network (LAN) whichinterfaces to network 106 via a leased line (T1, D3, etc.). Suchcommunication methods are well known in the art, and are covered in avariety of standard texts. See, e.g., GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATACOMMUNICATIONS (1996), hereby incorporated by reference.

[0030] Server 110 comprises any number of hardware, software, andnetworking components suitable to provide a user interface to a networkthat is accessible by users, and which provides the functionalitydescribed in further detail below. In one embodiment, Sun Ultra SPARCEnterprise 250 and 450 servers are used in conjunction with a SunSolaris 7 or Linux operating system, Apache web server software, and anOracle 8 or MySQL database system. Of course particular hardware andsoftware components used in server 110 will vary widely from embodimentto embodiment. Furthermore, server 110 may represent a “cluster” orgroup of separate computer systems providing the functionalitiesdescribed herein.

[0031] The gambler profile and mobile gaming unit identificationdatabase locations maintained on database 116 by server 110 are provideda distinct mobile gaming unit and/or gambler profile identifier(collectively “gambler information”) which may be used to authenticate auser's identity. Database 116 may be a graphical, hierarchical,relational, object-oriented or other database, and may be maintained ona local drive of server 110 or on a separate computer coupled to server110 via a local area or other network (not shown). In one embodiment,database 116 is a collection of ASCII or other text files stored on alocal drive of server 110. Gambler information is suitably retrievedfrom database 116 upon request by mobile gambling unit 102. Further,database 116 may suitably contain distinct location informationcorrelative to the physical location of the gaming unit 102 and thegaming opportunities permitted in the jurisdiction in which the unit 102is located.

[0032] Further, in another alternative exemplary embodiment, the gamblerinformation may be stored on an optional second database and an optionalsecond server (not shown) independent of the server 110 for managing thegaming controller information wherein the optional gambler informationserver may maintain an optional database of like description as thoseabove. When employing the optional database and server, the gamblerinformation may still be provided to gaming controller server 110 toallow the gaming controller server 110 to facilitate the gambler in theplacing of a wager. In this way, the optional second database storingthe gambler information and the database storing the jurisdictionalinformation may be distinct in their operation and control. That is,both the server managing the jurisdictional information and the servermanaging the gambler profile may be coupled and may be further capableof providing access to gaming opportunities via mobile gaming units 102upon request by the gambler via a server application, as described morefully with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0033] In one embodiment, the gaming controller server 110 may bemanaged by a gaming controller (e.g., casino, bookie, bankinginstitution etc.) with which the gambler has established a gamingtransaction account. The gaming account may be associated with anysuitable credit card service such as Visa®, MasterCard®, AmericanExpress®, Discover®, PayPal, and banking institutions or the like, andmay additionally allow the gaming controller to recover payment forunsuccessful wagers made through the gaming controller by an individualgambler. In addition, the gaming account may be associated with anysuitable service that may allow for the gambler to be provided winningsfor placing a successful wager. It should be noted that although thepresent invention is described with relation to a credit card service,the invention is not so limited. That is, the invention is suitable foruse with any system wherein there may be provided access to a gamingcontroller server and/or gambler or jurisdictional information database.

[0034] As noted, within each gaming controller database location ondatabase 116, there may be stored a plurality of individual gambler datalocations corresponding to the credit accounts and/or profiles of thegamblers who have elected to enroll in the gaming controller's mobilegaming program. For example, a gaming controller may have a plurality ofgamblers who have elected to subscribe to the wireless location basedwagering program. Where gaming controller manages the server 110, gamingcontroller establishes a unique database location on database 116, whichhouses current gambler information related to the gambler (e.g., theamount of credit with which to wager, the gambler's name, address,billing account information, and/or preferred gaming opportunities). Thedatabase location will be assigned an identifier which can be recognizedas belonging to a particular gambler.

[0035]FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a locationbased mobile gaming system 200 according to the present invention. Asillustrated, a wireless mobile communication system 202 may be connectedto game controller 204, which may be further connected to home gamingregister (HGR) system 206 via wireless communication media 203 and 205respectively. Game controller 204 may be further connected to aplurality of local gaming servers 208 via communication media 207.

[0036] Wireless mobile communication system 202 may provide userinitiated data to game controller 204. In this context, the “userinitiate data” may include the user's geographical location (e.g.,longitude, latitude, or a zone, or both, etc.), the user's request foraccessing the system 200, and/or any user desired wagering information(e.g., desired game to play, wager to be placed, sporting event to bewagered against). In one exemplary embodiment, the gambler (e.g.,“user”) may access the system 200 via mobile gaming device 102 bysending a transmission signal (e.g., Code Division Multiple Access, CodeDivision Multiple Access 2000, Radio Frequency, General Packet RadioSystem, Wode Band Code Division Multiple Access, etc.) to a wirelessnetwork 106, such as, for example, Sprint PCS™ Nationwide DigitalWireless Network, Verizon™, etc. the wireless network 106 may furtherprovide the transmission to a server 110 or a game controller 204.

[0037] Home gaming register (HGR) system 206 may be any system capableof managing a gambler profile and/or local game server profile 208. Forexample, HGR system 206 may include a database for storing the gamblerprofile, a jurisdictional profile, tax/tariff mapper and/or aninter-casino roaming system. HGR system 206 database may be of similardescription and operation of database 116. That is, HGR system 206database may be hierarchal or segmented into distinct storage locationswherein the various storage locations may house a plurality of distinctgambler profiles, jurisdictional profiles, tax/tariff mapper data, localgame server profile and/or inter-casino roaming system indicia. In thiscontext, a “gambler profile” may include the gambler's age, gamblinghistory, transactional account data (e.g., credit, debit, electronicchecking, merit account status), and/or the gambler security information(e.g., personal identification authorization code, biometric enablingindicia, etc.). The “jurisdictional profile” may include any informationrelative to the gambling restrictions and identification of thejurisdiction in from which a gambler may place his bet. Further, the“tax/tariff mapper” may be any system suitable for storing and/ormanaging the financial tax exchange rates and/or tax/tariff exchangeagreements between states, and or countries. Further still, the “aninter-casino roaming system” may be any system and/or database capableof storing and/or managing transaction relationships between thedifferent local gaming servers and or casino operators. In addition, theelements of HGR system 206 may be managed by a server (not shown) insimilar manner as is described with respect to server 110.

[0038] In addition to the above, HGR system 206 may be configured toauthenticate the user's identity prior to providing the user gamingopportunities. For example, HGR system 206 may include hardware andsoftware applications by which the user may submit unique identifyingdata (e.g., person identification code, biometric information) which maycorroborated against the gambler profile stored one the HGR system 206.Typical identity verification methods may be similar in operation toconventional personal identification number verification or biometricverification methods presently employed by credit card processinginstitutions. Such verification (e.g., authentication) of the user'sidentity may be established at the time the user registers the locationbased mobile gaming unit with the system 200 (e.g., by submittinggambler profile to HGR system 206 and upon acceptance of the gamblerprofile). The registration criteria may be established by the individualcasino or bookie responsible for managing the operation the local gamesserver 208.

[0039] Game controller 204 may include any network interface forcommunication between wireless mobile communications system 202, and anyconnected local gaming servers 208 or HGR systems 206. For example, gamecontroller 204 may include a server of similar operation and descriptionas server 110. That is, game controller 204 may be configured to managethe transmission of information between the aforementioned systems andto retrieve or receive data from any attached databases.

[0040] Local gaming server 208 may include any system configured toreceive transmissions from game controller 204 and provide a listing ofavailable gaming opportunities per the established jurisdiction. Forexample, each distinct local gaming server 208 may be associated with adistinct jurisdiction and/or casino, wherein the games made available tothe user are restricted by the jurisdiction. That is, each jurisdictionassociated with the local gaming server 208 may restrict the type ofgaming activity which may be provided in that jurisdiction. As such,gaming server 208 may only store the required information (e.g.,software) necessary for allowing the user to place a wager in thatjurisdiction. In some instances, the server 208 may be one or moreservers wherein a distinct server such as a visiting server (e.g. notshown) may be configured to receive and temporarily or permanently storethe gambler profile and update the gambler profile (e.g., gamblingcredit, gambling limit etc.) according to the result of a gambler's bet.In this context, local gaming server 208 (and alternatively, visitingserver) may have similar description and operation as server 110 and/orHGR system 206.

[0041]FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary flowchart which illustrates anexemplary method for practicing the system 100 or 200 of the presentinvention. As shown, the system 100 or 200 may begin with the userestablishing a gaming account for use with the present invention (step302). The user may undergo an age verification to determine if the usermeets the minimum age requirements. Further, the user may establish atransaction account for negotiating a wager which may be associated withany credit account as described above. Further still, the user mayestablish a preferred local gaming server for transacting the majorityof the gaming activities.

[0042] Upon establishing a gaming account, the user may initiate agaming session by transmitting initiating information to the HGR system206 via the wireless network 202 (step 304). The initiation informationmay include the user identification and/or access or security code(e.g., biometric information, personal identification information etc.).The HGR system 206 may use the provided information to authenticate theuser identification and determine if the user is authorized to placewager on the system (step 306). Such authentication may includeproviding a personal identification number in similar manner as is donewith existing credit and debit accounts. Alternatively, authenticationmay include providing voice or biometric identifying information, viamobile gaming unit 102. In such instance, the mobile gaming unit may beequipped with certain biometric utility applications (e.g.,fingerprinting recognition, palm print recognition, etc.) and/or voiceor iris recognition technology.

[0043] If the user is unauthenticated (step 306), the user may beprompted to restart the gambling access experience. If the user isauthenticated (step 306), the HGR system 206 may retrieve a gamblerprofile from an attendant database (step 308). Further, the HGR system310 may further retrieve identifying information regarding thejurisdiction in which the gambler is located (step 310). That is, theuser may provide initiating location information (e.g., longitude,latitude, etc.) which is correlative to the jurisdiction in which thegambler (e.g., mobile gambling unit 102) is located. Upon retrieving thelocation information the HGR system 206 may be matched to a distinctjurisdiction (e.g., jurisdictional information).

[0044] The HGR system 206 may provide the gaming profile and/or thejurisdictional information to the gaming controller 204, which mayfurther provide the information to the local gaming server 208 (step314). In some instances, the jurisdictional information may be providedto a separate visiting gaming server for use in determining theavailable games for a particular jurisdiction. Once the gaminginformation is determined, information concerning the available games isforwarded to the user via the game controller 204, the wireless system202, and more particularly via mobile gaming unit 102 (steps 316 and318).

[0045] The gambler may then select from amongst the available games, aparticular game to play (step 320). Depending on the game selected, thegambler profile may be updated in response the games outcome. That is,the gambler's preferred game, gambling history, history of wins andlosses, etc. may be updated in real-time, or at the completion of thegambler's gaming experience.

[0046] In some instances, the gambler may elect to place a wager on asporting event (steps 322 and 332). The information concerning the wagermay be stored on the local server 208 (step 334). The information may beuploaded by the game controller 204 and provided to HGR system 206. Thegambler may further elect to place another wager or to end the gamblingprocess (step 336). Upon completion of the sporting event, the gamingprofile and/or transaction account information may be updated accordingto the gambler level of success.

[0047] On the other hand, the gambler may elect to play a game whereinthe results of the game are known virtually real-time (step 324). Forexample, such games may include virtual slot machine, keno, poker, blackjack, craps, etc. The game may be managed by the local server 208. Upondetermining the results of the game, the gambler profile and/ortransactional account may be adjusted accordingly (step 328). That is,the credit or financial transaction account associated with thegambler's gambling experience may be deducted or increased according tothe gambler's level of success. Once the game is terminated and thewager is deducted or added to the transactional account, the gambler maybe given the opportunity to place another wager on a game, or toterminate the gambling experience (step 330).

[0048] It should be noted that various steps may be combined oreliminated according to the requirements of the local server. Further,the number of the components and/or descriptions of the system 100 or200 may be manipulated or managed using additional components such asthe operation and maintenance system O&M depicted in FIG. 2. TH O&M maybe any system such as a standard CPU, or the like connected tot eh gamecontroller 204. Further still, although depicted as communicating withgame controller 204, the wireless communications system 202 may beconfigured to communicate directly with the HGR system 208.

[0049] In addition, it should be understood that although the presentsystem is described with respect to a remote location based mobilegaming unit which initiates a gaming experience while being within thetransmitting area (e.g., zone) of a distinct local game server 208, theinvention contemplates the use of a location based mobile unit which isroaming from one transmission zone to another. In this instance, theuser may be required to reinitiate the gaming experience under theestablished protocols of the zone in which the user is moving. As anexample, where the user begins his gaming experience in a first zone,but the user movers to a second zone, the user may be required torestart his gaming experience under the protocol of the second zone,which may have different jurisdictional restrictions than the firstzone. Alternatively, the invention contemplates that variousjurisdictions may establish agreements permitting the gaming experienceto be completed in the second zone even though the gaming experience wasinitiated in the first zone. By way of further example, where a gamblerinitiates a gaming experience under the established protocol of a firstlocal server, the gambler may be permitted to continue the gambler'sgaming experience under the protocol of a second local server, in theevent the gambler moves from the transmission area of the first localserver to the second local server. In this context, such an experiencemay be called a handoff, wherein the first local server “hands off” thegambler's gaming experience to the second local server.

[0050] While the above description points out various aspects of themobile gaming system of this invention, it is to be understood that acomplete understanding of the invention will be gleaned from the abovedescription taken in conjunction with the attached figures and appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A location based wagering system comprising: awireless location based system; a home gaming register including a homegame register database; a local game server; and a game controllerserver connected at least one of said wireless location based system,home gaming register, and local game server.
 2. A system according toclaim 1 wherein said wireless location based system includes a locationbased mobile gaming unit, said mobile gaming unit configured tocommunicate with said game controller server via a wireless media.
 3. Asystem according to claim 2, wherein said mobile gaming unit isconfigured to provide location information correlative to the physicallocation of the mobile gaming unit, said location information comprisingat least one of a longitude, latitude, or zonal indicia.
 4. A systemaccording to claim 3, wherein said mobile gaming unit is provided adistinct identifier, said mobile game unit distinct identifier furtherincluding a gambler profile, said mobile gaming unit configured toprovide said mobile gaming unit distinct identifier and said locationinformation to at least one of said game controller server and said homegame register, said mobile gaming unit distinct identifier beingcorrelated to a unique security code.
 5. A system according to claim 4wherein said home game register database includes a plurality ofdistinct data storage locations, wherein at least one of said pluralityof said home base register database locations corresponds to at leastone of said location information and said mobile game unit distinctidentifier, said mobile game unit distinct identifier being correlatedto at least one of said unique security code.
 6. A system according toclaim 5, wherein said home gaming register further comprises a homegaming register server, said home gaming register server configured tomatch said mobile game unit distinct identifier to said correlativeunique security code to verify the authorization of said mobile gamingunit.
 7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said locationinformation corresponds to said local game server.
 8. A system accordingto claim 7, wherein at least one of said home gaming register server andsaid game controller server is configured to match said locationinformation to said local game server.
 9. A system according to claim 8,wherein said local game server includes a local game server database,said local game server database including a plurality of distinct datalocations, wherein at least one of said local game server distinct datalocations corresponds to a gaming opportunity.
 10. A system according toclaim 9, wherein said game controller is configured to provide saidgambler profile to said local game server, said local game serverconfigured to store said gambler profile in at least one of saidplurality of local game server data locations.
 11. A system according toclaim 10, wherein said storage of gambler profile is temporary.
 12. Asystem according to claim 11, wherein said storage of gambler profile ispermanent.
 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said local gameserver is configured to provide said gaming opportunity to at least oneof said game controller or said wireless location based system.
 14. Asystem according to claim 13, wherein said local game sever isconfigured to provide said gaming opportunity to said location basedmobile gaming unity, said gaming opportunity being characterized by agaming opportunity outcome.
 15. A system according to claim 14, whereinsaid gambler profile includes a unique transaction account, said uniquetransaction account corresponding to said mobile gaming unit distinctidentifier, said transaction account configured to provide a wageringindicia for use with said gaming opportunity.
 16. A system according toclaim 15, wherein said mobile gaming unit is configured to specify adistinct wager amount correlative to said gaming opportunity and toprovide said distinct wagering amount to said local game server.
 17. Asystem according to claim 16, wherein said local game server isconfigured to correlate said distinct wager to said gaming opportunity.18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said local game server isconfigured to update said transaction account in response to said gamingopportunity outcome.
 19. A system according to claim 18, wherein atleast one of said home gaming register and said local game serverupdates gambler profile in response to said gaming opportunity outcome.20. A system according to claim 1, further including a second local gameserver, said local game server characterized by a second locationinformation wherein at least a second one of said plurality of said homebase register database locations corresponds to said second locationinformation, wherein at least one of said home gaming register serverand said game controller server is configured to match said secondlocation information to said second local game server.
 21. A systemaccording to claim 20, wherein said second local game server includes alocal game server database, said local game server database including asecond plurality of distinct data locations, wherein at least one ofsaid second local game server data locations is matched to at least oneof said gaming opportunity.
 22. A system according to claim 21, whereinsaid location based mobile gaming unit provides said second locationinformation to at least one of said game controller server and said homegaming register, said gaming opportunity being provided to said locationbased mobile gaming unit in response to said second locationinformation.
 23. A method of providing location based mobile gamingopportunities comprising the steps of: accessing a home gaming registerusing a location based mobile gaming unit; authenticating the accessingof the home game register using a unique mobile game unit identifier;correlating the unique mobile game unit identifier with a gamblerprofile, the gambler profile including at least one of the gambler name,wager permitting transaction account, and gambler history; providing thehome gaming register with the location of the location based mobilegaming unit; correlating the location of the location based mobilegaming unit with a local game server, the local game server beingconfigured to provide to the mobile gaming unit a specific distinctgaming opportunity, the distinct gaming opportunity being characterizedby a gaming outcome; permitting the mobile gaming unit to place a wagerbased on an anticipated gaming outcome; and updating the gambler profilein response to the gaming outcome.
 24. A method according to step 23further comprising the step of providing providing the home gamingregister with a second location of the location based mobile gamingunit; correlating the second location of the location based mobilegaming unit with a second local game server, the second local gameserver being configured to provide to the mobile gaming unit a secondspecific distinct gaming opportunity, the distinct gaming opportunitybeing characterized by a second gaming outcome; permitting the mobilegaming unit to place a wager based on an anticipated second gamingoutcome; and updating the gambler profile in response to the secondgaming outcome.
 25. A method according to claim 24 further comprisingthe step of matching the specific distinct gaming opportunity with thesecond specific distinct gaming opportunity.
 26. A method of providinglocation based mobile gaming opportunities comprising the steps of:accessing a home gaming register using a location based mobile gamingunit, the location based mobile gaming unit being characterized by aunique mobile gaming unit identifier; correlating the unique mobile gameunit identifier with a gambler profile, the gambler profile including atleast one of the gambler name, wager permitting transaction account, andgambler history; providing the home gaming register with the location ofthe location based mobile gaming unit, wherein the locating of thelocation based mobile gaming unit includes determining the zonal, orspatial proximity of the mobile gaming unit; correlating the location ofthe location based mobile gaming unit with a local game server, thelocal game server being configured to provide to the mobile gaming unita specific distinct gaming opportunity, the distinct gaming opportunitybeing characterized by a gaming outcome; permitting the mobile gamingunit to place a wager based on an anticipated gaming outcome; andupdating the gambler profile in response to the gaming outcome.
 27. Amethod according to step 26 further comprising the step of providingproviding the home gaming register with a second location of thelocation based mobile gaming unit; correlating the second location ofthe location based mobile gaming unit with a second local game server,the second local game server being configured to provide to the mobilegaming unit a second specific distinct gaming opportunity, the distinctgaming opportunity being characterized by a second gaming outcome;permitting the mobile gaming unit to place a wager based on ananticipated second gaming outcome; and updating the gambler profile inresponse to the second gaming outcome.
 28. A method according to claim27 further comprising the step of matching the specific distinct gamingopportunity with the second specific distinct gaming opportunity.